Achhe din for domestic workers: national policy draft proposes Rs 9000 per month

New Delhi: The government is drafting ‘National Policy for Domestic Workers’ that proposes a minimum salary of Rs 9,000 per month for full-time household helpers, along with other benefits like social security cover and mandatory leaves. The draft would be soon moved for approval of the Union Cabinet. The draft also calls for provisions against sexual harassment and bonded labour and recommends compulsory paid leave of 15 days a year as also the maternity leave. It also proposes right to pursue education, a safe working environment for the workers and a grievance redressal mechanism.

Director General Labour Welfare (DGLW) prepared the draft note and submitted the same to Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya last week. Dattatreya informed that the Domestic Workers Policy has to be framed to save domestic workers from exploitation.